If you're the sort of parent who spends a lot of money to ensure the toppest of the top-of-the-line baseball equipment for your budding Albert Pujols, you'll wnnt to go to Little League's web site to figure out exactly what is legal before you drop big bucks on a stick. (The Little League rules cover its affiliated teams only, though other youth leagues usually have similar rules.)

However, I will save you a little bit of time by saying that most of the same composite bats Little League put a moratorium on during the last offseason remain on the do-not-use list, though there are a few more exceptions made for 2012. This is a Little League statement regarding the Major Division, which covers baseball and softball players ages 12 and younger (as in, the players who appear in the Little League World Series.)

The moratorium on composite-barreled baseball bats remains in effect. However, some composite-barreled baseball bats that have been proven in laboratory testing to meet the BPF (Bat Performance Factor) standard throughout the life of the bat, through the Accelerated Break-In (ABI) process, have received waivers. That list is here: Licensed/Approved Composite 2 1/4 Bats.

Holy jeezus, are we talking about a baseball bat or a science fair display?

Basically, what Little League means is that the bats meet standards that essentially give metal bats the same relative lack of pop as wooden bats. The issue of bat safety has gotten more attention in recent years as balls have turned into bullets coming off some metal bats, causing injuries and even a few deaths. However, those in the sporting goods industry have tried to fight the bans, which have put a dent, no pun intended, in a bat industry that was a $200 million wholesale business in 2010. The fight may or may not be related to the banned bats usually being more expensive than those allowed for use.

My advice to Little League parents who comb over the banned list, and who try to use equipment as a way to make their children better, is lighten up. Hitting form is more important than the bounce off a bat, especially because eventually scouts will figure out whether your child has a good swing, or is being enhanced by a PED-- performance-enhancing device.

A youth sports blog written by Bob Cook. He's contributed to NBCSports.com, or MSNBC.com, if you prefer. He’s delivered sports commentaries for All Things Considered. For three years he wrote the weekly “Kick Out the Sports!” column for Flak Magazine.